Top Honors for Roland at NAMM and CES

The last few months have been very busy for Roland and BOSS. In September, we introduced over 30 new products during “The Future. Redefined.” online event, and followed that up with many more product launches at the 2017 Winter NAMM Show and CES 2017. To start, the customer response has been fantastic. And to top it off, we’re extremely honored that our innovative new gear has received numerous industry and reader awards. Stay tuned, because we have many more new products to come throughout 2017!

Version 1.50 Update Adds 256 New Factory Programs

Roland JD-XA Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer.

If you own the JD-XA Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer, you’ll want to check out the recent Version 1.50 update. This user-installable system software refreshes the 256 onboard programs with all-new sounds created by our top programmers. The update also adds a Copy Program function that gives you quick access to any of these new sounds, even if you choose not to install them after updating your system.

Read on to listen to sound examples and learn more about the Version 1.50 update for the JD-XA synth.

Annual Event Celebrates Noted Women in the Music Industry

Rebecca Eaddy on stage at the 2017 She Rocks Awards. Photo by Kevin Graft.

Roland is proud to announce that Rebecca Eaddy was honored at the recent She Rocks Awards at the 2017 Winter NAMM Show. Rebecca is the Marketing Communications Manager at Roland Corporation U.S., and she shared the stage with music icons Lita Ford and Ronnie Spector, plus other esteemed 2017 award winners. The She Rocks Awards honors women from diverse corners of the music industry, from performers, engineers, and producers to key women at manufacturers, dealers, record labels, media outlets, and more.

The Easy Way to Capture High-Quality Sound as You Perform

Roland GO:MIXER.

With the fantastic video quality of today’s smartphones, it’s never been easier to capture music performances and other content. However, recording a quality audio soundtrack along with your video has always required a lot of extra work…until now. With Roland’s cool new GO:MIXER, you can connect a mic and instruments, mix them live, and record crystal clear sound to your video in real time.

We introduced GO:MIXER at CES 2017 in Las Vegas, and it caused quite a buzz, winning multiple “Best of CES” awards at the show. This handy tool makes it so much easier to generate great content quickly—read on to learn more.

New Solutions Launched at the 2017 Winter NAMM Show

Roland’s leading lineup of music accessories continues to grow, with many new solutions introduced at the 2017 Winter NAMM Show, the yearly gear explosion in Anaheim, California. To start, we’ve launched a wide range of piano benches to complement our award-winning home and stage pianos. In addition, our professional cable lineup has expanded, and lots of new clip-light models are available as well. We also have new road case models, including many rackmount cases, plus some new top-quality drum thrones. Read on to learn about these great Roland accessories, plus many others.

The Most Powerful RD Stage Piano to Date

Roland RD-2000 Stage Piano.

For 30-plus years, Roland’s RD-series instruments have been the world’s leading stage pianos, used by everyone from local nightclub musicians to arena-level megastars. Just introduced at the 2017 Winter NAMM Show, the Roland RD-2000 takes the series to an all-new level, combining three decades of piano research and advanced controller features into one amazingly powerful and versatile instrument. Simply put, the RD-2000 is our best stage piano ever, and you really need to check it out! Read on to find out more about the latest evolution of the historic RD series.

Coming to Your Area in December 2016—Reserve Your Spot Today

Join Roland, Serato, V-MODA, and Guitar Center for a detailed look at the DJ-808 DJ Controller, the trailblazing new instrument that breaks the barriers between DJ’ing, performance, and production.

The DJ-808 is the first DJ instrument to combine deep Serato DJ software integration with a built-in Roland TR drum machine—which includes sounds from the 808, 909, 707, and 606—and an onboard sample sequencer. Adding in a four-channel mixer, AIRA Link USB ports, a VT Vocal Transformer, ultra-high-performance platters, layers of performance pad features, and more, the DJ-808 greatly expands the creative possibilities for DJs, producers, and electronic musicians.

The Serato x Roland DJ-808 tour will be coming to select Guitar Center locations in the first half of December 2016. At each event, Roland experts will be available to provide hands-on demos and answer any questions you have. Certain locations will also feature special demos and performances by leading artists. Read on to find out when the tour is coming to your local Guitar Center. Capacity is limited at each event, so RSVP today to reserve your spot!

The Award-Winning Artist Talks About His Partnership with Roland Pianos

Roland U.S. is a proud partner with internationally renowned pianist and songwriter Jim Brickman. Recently, Jim stopped by Roland U.S. headquarters to discuss his musical start, how Roland pianos offer him the highest quality sound and feel, and his mission to inspire the next generation of musicians. Read on to check out a video of our talk, where he also plays two of his most well-known pieces on the Roland LX-17.

Live Performance and Interview at Roland Sessions

Fronted by Chelsea Davis (vocals/drums) and Dan Silver (guitar/synth), MOON descends the spirits of lush soundscapes over gritty beats with insatiable attitude. Embracing genres from shoegaze, desert rock, folk, and soul, they maintain a healthy electronic presence in their sound. Read on to check out a Roland Sessions performance of “I Got a Fever,” the band’s latest single, plus an interview where they talk about how they use their Roland gear.

VIP Musicians Preview the Latest Gear in New York City

On September 21, Roland U.S., along with friends from Serato and V-MODA, hit the Big Apple for the New York City edition of #909day. SIR Studios in the trendy Chelsea area of Manhattan was host to 200 guests who watched expert demos and got some hands-on time with all the new products. Roland debuted more than 30 new products on September 9 during the 24-hour global online music festival, “The Future. Redefined.”